CMW 2011: Gentleman Reg @ The Gladstone Hotel by Cody McGraw

WEDNESDAY - When seeing Gentleman Reg live there are a few things you can always rely on. It’s always going to be solid, he’s always going to whip out a few covers and there will always be people practically fucking in the audience – his CMW show was no different and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Relying mostly on tracks from the amazing Jet Black and new songs from an upcoming record, Reg and band provided a set filled with sexuality, charisma and lots of intensity. Highlights included the always delightful “You Can’t Get it Back”, “Coastline” and his covers of Sheryl Crow’s “If It Makes You Happy” and Stevie Nicks’ “Wild Heart” (which he kindly dedicated to me after I asked him earlier in the night. Booze wasn’t involved. I swear).

Watching Reg is like watching a friend play. You want him to succeed so bad and you know you’re at least going to walk away with a huge smile on your face. There’s really nothing more you could ask for on a rainy first night of CMW. He's again set the bar high for the rest of the festival.

Photos: Carmen Cheung

Cody McGraw is many things but the thing you can actually call him to his face is the Managing Editor of The Little Red Umbrella. See more posts from him here or follow him on Twitter (@cody_mcgraw).

Carmen Cheung is a Toronto-based freelance photographer and the former Photo Editor of SoundProof Magazine. You can find more of her work on her website here and follow her on Twitter (@carmencheung).